Our March Madness

doesn't involve basketball... but baseball, football, pageant prep, competitions, and tributes!

Husky Baseball - Evan

Carolina Elite Spring Football - Noah

He's excited to get to play with his buddy, Walker, in this 7 on 7 league! Right now, they are practicing 3 nights a week and games begin in 2 weeks.

Noah represented his school at the First in Fitness Competition recently. He competed in the boys triathlon and placed 5th overall. The triathlon consisted of pullups, the shuttle run, and the 1600 meter run.

Each spring, Pop Warner recognizes its athletes who have achieved academic excellence. Evan was recognized in this way when he was playing football and we were thrilled that Noah was honored this year at the scholastic tribute. I woke up with the stomach bug the morning of the tribute and was disappointed that I couldn't be there - you never want to miss an opportunity to see Noah dressed up (it rarely happens!)

Natalie is preparing for her softball debut soon! She's never played before but seems really excited about the upcoming season.  She is also getting ready for the National American Miss NC pageant in June. This will be a first as well. We've been busy seeking sponsors, practicing her speech and walking in heels, and making all the arrangements for our weekend in Winston Salem!

This is the picture we will probably use in the pageant program:

and here's the dress we've ordered for her to wear...

Can't wait for it to get here!

She had fun showing me all her art at our schools art show last week, too! Right now she says she wants to be an art teacher when she grows up:)

February 2014

Sometimes life is difficult. The first week of February was one of those times...

A few girls in Natalie's class at school decided they would target her with mean comments, accusations, and isolation. They used language that no 2nd grader should have in their vocabulary. Natalie was so sad. Sad enough to not want to go to school. Sad enough to come find me at various points during the day with "sickness" and a need to go home. Sad enough for many tears, hers and mine. She kept telling me all the things that were being said and done. She kept assuring me that she herself hadn't done anything to these girls. She kept saying, "I don't know why this is happening to me?" As her Mom, I wanted to fix things. Right then! I wanted to make it right and tell those girls how hurtful they were being. I wanted to straighten them out, you know?! It was difficult at first because I was acting with an emotional response that triggered some ugly things in my own heart... but then, I was reminded of the beauty of the Gospel and how it displayed in difficult circumstances - with grace - with forgiveness - with love.

I took every opportunity to talk through the situation with Natalie (and with her teacher, co-workers, and the school counselor). The counselor met with the group of girls and they were made aware that there would be consequences for their actions. More importantly, Natalie and I used this time to seek wisdom and truth from scripture and we prayed daily for her heart, my heart, and the girls that she needed to forgive.

A few of the verses we worked through were:

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.

Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...

Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; who shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Philippians 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Thankfully, Natalie was able to quickly forgive those who hurt her and she ended her difficult week with a very special time with her Daddy! The Daddy/Daughter Dance was just what she needed...

She loved getting all dolled up with curls, pearls, and heels! Thanks Dad for making her feel like a princess!

sNOw days

NC snow is very unpredictable. About a week ago, snow was in our forecast and the grass was barely covered. It was enough to delay school 2 hours, though!

Natalie and Noah were eager to get out and play, but there wasn't much to play with!

Then, this week we had a new forecast for snow. A much larger prediction of accumulation. In our area, they were projecting 3-6 inches. They thought that the storm would move in by lunch time on Tuesday and Wake Co. decided to cancel school in order to keep all students and staff safe. I get that, but this is what happened...

The snow storm was late for the party. So, we spent the day like this...

I certainly prefer this type of snow day over any other. My family knows that I'm not a fan of the snow. It is pretty to look at and play in for a few minutes. Then, I'm done. Clean up the mess. Dry it all up. Bring out the sunshine and countdown to SUMMER! As we waited around on our sNOw day at home, Natalie and Noah were in agony. "Where is the snow?" "When is it going to start snowing?" "What time can we go outside?" "That man (meteorologist) was wrong!" All the while, they had on snow suits. Ready to play! 

Chuck had Evan with him at work and the snow finally started about the time they got home. Slowly, slowly it fell from the sky. This was the scene before we went to bed...

... and when we woke up

Noah was ready to be outside at 6:30am. Chuck had to persuade him to wait a while and at least let the rest of us wake up. Actually, at 10:30 Evan had to be woke up. He had no desire to play outside, though. 

Warning: most of the pictures you are about to see are FFP (forced family photos). No one likes pictures but Natalie. So sad!

Note: Lunchroom trays can double as snow toys. Ha, ha!

Natalie was totally loving the snow. She giggled all the way down this hill:) 

The creek behind our house!

It's hard to make a snowman with this fluffy snow. He was more of a "blob" than anything:) 

 

Our neighbors kids came over. They spent about 4 hours in our yard playing in the snow. 

We're all cozy inside now. Warm clothes and blankets, hot chocolate, and our first snow cream! 

Waiting now to see if there will be another snow day tomorrow...

Christmas Vacation 2013

Christmas vacation was so great! Not only was I out with the kids, but Chuck took off a week and we were all together! Such a treat. We decided to be at our own house this year on Christmas day so we enjoyed a nice slow morning at home with the kids and then had friends over for lunch.

Loved having these dear ones with us to share a meal on Christmas day! Friends who really are family:)

Our Georgia peeps were waiting to celebrate with us when we got there at the end of the week. We had the BEST time with them... a southern style fish fry, photo booth, all kinds of sweats and goodies, gifts, dance competitions, card games, naps, and so much laughter. I just love my family! We even got to visit with some of our FBC Cordele family while we were there... an added treat for our visit!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2014 to you!